Healthy Back-to-School Lunch Options: Banana PB+J Wrap

I was such a snob when I became a mom for the first and even the second time. I’d see those parents who’d go that extra mile to cut off crusts, use only a certain type of peanut butter and not even try, “you’ll eat it because I said so” as their child loudly insisted there be nothing green on the plate. In my mind a picky eater was simply the result of an over indulgent parent.

I. WAS. WRONG.

Enter child number three… or as we have dubbed him… “Picky Eater Peter.” My son has the will of an ox when it comes to his diet. The kid won’t even touch watermelon… seriously?! His meal must not contain anything nearing green on the color wheel. He examines each bite like Heidi Klum… “Eggs with toast? Mom, I’m sorry you’re out. Auf wiedersehen.” Heaven forbid he try anything not in nugget form or made of chicken (trust me he knows his fowl). Oddly enough if it the label reads something like “Double Pizza Blast Flavor,” he’s all over that!

It got so bad that I consulted his doctor who suggested I try hiding things in his favorite foods. Ah, now here is where parenting gets fun… let’s play “fool the kid!” Some things are hard to hide but other things pack a big nutritional punch and play chameleon rather well too. Some of my favorite go-to ammo is pureed broccoli, mashed boiled carrots or even applesauce in place of oil in cakes and cookies.

In the video I’ve added baby spinach to his ranch dip (shh don’t tell). SCORE ONE FOR MOM! He got a huge dose of calcium and I didn’t have to threaten revocation of Wii privileges… booyah!

The rest of his lunch passed muster (or mustard as it were) rather well too.

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Peter’s Banana PB&J wrap

• 1 Original Flatout
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 tbsp jelly
• 1/2 ripe banana (cut lengthwise in thirds)

Sneaky Mommy Ranch Dip

• 1/2 cup low fat or fat free sour cream
• 1 tbsp dry ranch dressing mix
• 1/2 cup baby spinach (pulsed in food processor until fine)

Side dish options:

• Baby Carrots and Flatout EdgeOn crisps for dipping
• String cheese
• Fruit juice gummy snacks
• 100% natural Juice out of the box and in an eco friendly reusable container

The theme of this week’s apron from Childs Play Design <—a mom run Etsy shop I’m passionate about… is Retro Food Funk. I only wish the kid would eat half of the items in the pattern. What child does NOT like corn on the cob?! No really, tell me.

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We’d love to hear your fresh perspective!

• Is your child a picky eater? If so, how do you incorporate healthy foods into their diet?